The Tragic Age by Stephen Metcalfe

Release Date: March 3, 2015
Publisher & ARC: St. Martin's Griffin
ISBN:9781250054418
Ages: 14+

About the Author:

Stephen Metcalfe is a writer, a director and a teacher. His stage plays include LOVES & HOURS, VIKINGS, STRANGE SNOW, SORROWS AND SONS, PILGRIMS, HALF A LIFETIME, EMILY, WHITE LINEN, THE INCREDIBLY FAMOUS WILLY RIVERS, WHITE MAN DANCING, A WORLD OF THEIR OWN and THE GIFT TELLER. He has been produced in New York and at regional theaters throughout the United States as well as in Europe and Japan. Visit his website here.

Review:

It's hard to be a seventeen year old male. It's hard to be a seventeen year old male who's struggling with his identity in a high school filled with cliques, and none of them seem to accept you. It's hard to be the son of two parents who hate each other. Most importantly, it's hard to be the brother of a sister fighting and losing to cancer. Billy Kinsey is all of these, and figuring out how to deal with everything in his life at this point is enough to make anyone act out, cry for help, go a little crazy.  

Duplicity by N.K. Traver

Release Date: March 17, 2015

Publisher & ARC: St. Martin's Griffin

ISBN: 9781250059147

Ages: 13+

About the Author:

"HELLO, MY NAME IS NAT, and I write books about teens who like to get themselves in trouble and then expect me to get them out of it. I am completely incapable of planning anything (books, vacations, weekend outings, lunch). I'd like to believe this incapability makes my work random and quirky because let's be honest, I had no idea that was going to happen either. I'm represented by Brianne Johnson of Writers House, who can actually turn books into gold.

I love stories. All kinds. Especially ones with antiheroes and/or a tinge of something creepy. I'm very interested in why good people are good and bad people are bad and what makes them that way. I like reversed roles, rules, unexpected humor, sword fights, and the occasional "Awww" moment." Visit her website here. 

Review:
I haven't read a lot of unique YA fiction lately. It seems everything on the shelves lately has its foot in some other story already told. Such is not the case with Duplicity. 

Strange Sweet Song by Adi Rule

Release Date: March 3, 2015 (Paperback)
Publisher & ARC: St. Martin's Griffin
ISBN: 9781250036339
Ages: 13+

About the Author:

"I write in a studio apartment filled with books, cats, pictures of cats, musical instruments, video games, records, and a macaw who refuses to say, "Shiver me timbers!" despite the fact that it would be the best thing ever. When I'm not writing, I may be found playing Triple Yahtzee with my grandmother or singing in the chorus of the Boston Symphony Orchestra/Boston Pops, with whom I have also been a soloist.

I earned my MFA in writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts, and I also have a BA in voice from the University of New Hampshire. I am represented by Ammi-Joan Paquette of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency." Check out her website here.

 Review:

In this debut YA novel, Adi Rule brings us drama in its most complicated form: paranormal romance. Sing da Navelli is the daughter of two very prominent and legendary musicians. Her mother, Barbara, tragically died onstage during a performance of Angelique, and her father is a benefactor of Dunhammond Conservatory, the boarding school where Sing has just become a student. 

As if being at a boarding school didn't provide enough teen drama, the forest surrounding the school comes with its own turmoil. Purportedly hosting the Felix, a large cat that will either kill you or grant you a wish, Dunhammond is more than just a place for music. 

(Set 2) January 2015 YA Reviews in Haiku

Author: Ally Carter
Release Date: January 27, 2015
Publisher & ARC: Scholastic
Ages: 12+


A lot of drama.
First in the series standout.
Fun for psych lovers.

Author: Susan Adrian

Release Date: January 20, 2015

Publisher & ARC: Dunne/St. Martin's

Ages: 14+

Tunnelling is cool.

Until you're caught, then you run.

Action-packed first book.

Author: Michael Jensen and David Powers King

Release Date: January 27, 2015

Publisher & ARC: Scholastic

Ages: 10+

Cinderella-like.

Fantasy lovers unite.

Adventure abounds.

Author: Victoria Scott

Release Date: January 27, 2015 (Paperback)

Publisher & ARC: Scholastic

Ages: 12+

Very Hunger Games-esque.

Reminds me of Maze Runner.

Suitable story.

Author: Trent Reedy

Release Date: January 27, 2015

Publisher & ARC: Scholastic

Ages: 13+

Daniel still blames self.

Deeper into politics.

A better sequel.

Author: Elizabeth Eulberg

Release Date: January 27, 2015

Publisher & ARC: Scholastic

Ages: 14+

Lonely Hearts Club Book.

Girl power with romance too.

Good message for girls.

Author: Michael Northrop

Release Date: January 27, 2015

Publisher & ARC: Scholastic

Ages: 8+

Egyptian exploits.

Alex and Ren are cool pair.

Demands cleverness. 

(Set 1) January 2015 YA Reviews in Haiku

Author: Mary Casanova
Release Date: January 1, 2015
Publisher & ARC: American Girl
Ages: 8-12

Adventure awaits.
Perfect for a nine year old.
Paris, here we come!

Author: Mary Casanova

Release Date: January 1, 2015

Publisher & ARC: American Girl

Ages 8-12

Time to start baking.

Big responsibilities.

Teamwork is the key.

Author: Joelle Charbonneau

Release Date: January 6, 2015

Publisher & ARC: HMH Books for Young Readers

Ages: 12+

Bold dystopia.

Different than the others.

16 year old Cia rocks!

Author: Gina Damico

Release Date: January 6, 2015

Publisher & ARC: HMH Books for Young Readers

Ages: 12+

Supernatural.

Humorous mixed with some love.

Damico delights!

Author: Ilyasah Shabazz and Kekla Magoon

Release Date: January 6, 2015

Publisher & ARC: Candlewick

Ages: 14+

Daughter of Malcolm.

Inspirational story.

Lyrical and brave.

 Author: Katie Coyle

Release Date: January 6, 2015

Publisher & ARC: HMH

Ages: 14+

Modern day road trip.

Victoriously diverse.

Religious satire.

Author: Nick Lake

Release Date: January 6, 2015

Publisher & ARC: Bloomsbury

Ages: 13+

Don't believe the lies.

Hypnotically clever.

Shelby's search for truth.

Author: Amanda Hocking

Release Date: January 6, 2015

Publisher & ARC: St. Martin's Griffin

Ages: 14+

Kanin Chronicles.

Bryn's fierce training is awesome.

Stirring romance.

Author: Kate Axelrod

Release Date: January 8, 2015

Publisher & ARC: Razorbill

Ages: 13+

Emma has it all.

Wants to discuss mental health.

Fails to do so, sad. 

Author: Maggie Hall

Release Date: January 13, 2015

Publisher & ARC: Putnam

Ages: 13+

Puzzles and action.

Typical love triangle.

Not the worst I've read.